Race to Robie Creek Registration Opens Monday; Major Changes Ahead

"The Toughest Race in the Northwest" is back for it's 41st year and they've announced some major changes to 2018's registration process!

The race began as the "Idaho Summer Road Racing Championships" and had just 25 participants. The race took runners from Fort Boise, up Reserve Street to Shaw Mountain Road and then climbed up through Rocky Canyon, over Aldape Summit to a finish at Robie Creek campground at Lucky Peak. The half marathon course included 2,072 feet up elevation gain.

Michelle Heart, Townsquare Media

Now, the half marathon has grown into a right of passage for Treasure Valley runners and will take place on April 21, 2018 at High Noon! Notorious for selling out in minutes, the "Rocky Canyon Sail Toads" who put on the race have decided to add 240 extra spots in this year's "2018 A Race Odyssey" themed run. Registration opens HERE on Monday, February 19 at "high noon."

Another change? Rather than doing for second chance lottery drawing for additional spots in the race, the Sail Toads are creating a first-come, first serve wait list. If someone withdraws from the race they can choose to give their race bib to the next man (or woman) up on that wait list or release it to one of their equally insane friends.

In 2017 the race field sold out in 12 minutes and 9 seconds, so you've got to be quick on the draw when it comes to clicking the registration link.

My Robie Journey

Michelle Heart, Townsquare Media

I told myself that I would NEVER put myself through this race. I told myself that I rather run 26.2 miles again on nice, flat pavement...but peer pressure is a hell of a drug. So many of my friends from Team Run Boise were talking about doing the race in 2017 and my fear of missing out reached an all time high. At the last second, I decided to go for it and try to get into the race. When registration day came around I had three computers open in front of me and my fiance sitting on a fourth at home.

It didn't hit me until I printed out my confirmation receipt that I had really gotten in! In fact, I was so quick hitting the buttons at noon that day that I ended up being bib #2 at the race. My teammate Kira wasn't far behind. She clicked fast too and locked down bib #3!

From February to April, I was panicked that I hadn't put in enough hill work and that the race was going to eat me alive. I've run hundreds of races, but was never as scared standing on a starting line as I was at Robie. Once the pre-race skit was over and the gun went off, those nerves melted away. Robie was honestly the most fun I've ever had in a half marathon and if it weren't the week after my full marathon this year, I would be signing up again!

Don't let your nerves make you miss out on one of the most awesome experiences you can possibly have in Boise. If you're thinking about it, do it! You won't regret it!